 Injuries
resulting from inadequate machine guarding are of concern due to their potential
severity. Plastics processing machines are complex pieces of equipment that
require guards to protect employees from nip points, numerous moving parts, and
exposure to high voltage and high temperature. Serious injuries including
fatalities, amputations, avulsions, burns, cuts, and bruises can occur during
operation. Such injuries may result from guards that are missing, improperly
installed, removed, or bypassed.
This section was developed in cooperation
with the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. as part of the
OSHA-SPI alliance. The section discusses guidelines and safety measures for the
following types of plastics machinery:
Important: Employers must provide an effective
lockout/tagout program and
personal protective equipment, such as
eye and face protection,
when necessary, whenever employees work on or around any piece of machinery.
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